Devildawg15's blog: "Your Right To Vote"

I graduated from high school at the age of seventeen. Afterward, I enlisted in the Marine Corps, went to boot camp in San Diego, graduated from that and was sent to Okinawa and, later, Vietnam. The year was 1968. There was an upcoming Presidential election in November, but I couldn't vote in it. The voting age then was 21. I was old enough to defend our country against enemies, both foreign and domestic, but I couldn't vote for the people who decided friend or enemy. Ultimately, I had to wait four years, until 1972, to vote in my first election.

Since then, I haven't missed a Presidential election and only a few mid-term elections. I love this country and the Constitution our Founding Fathers created establishing the framework of the United States. I love the fact that I have the right to voice my opinions in the election process and concider this to be one of the most important rights we have.

 There has rarely been a more critical time to exercise the right to vote. In a time when our elected officials completely disregard the wishes of the majority of its constituents, virtually thumbing their noses at the people, every vote, whether in the primary or the general election, should be used to tell the Legislative Branch, as well as the Executive Branch, how displeased we are. Did you want the government to control 1/6 of our economy, mandating how and where you spend your money. Do you want to add a 20-25% Value-added Tax to everything you purchase, on top of the existing income tax system? Do you want Cap and Trade to further cripple small business and the economy? These are all important questions facing The United States of America today. Our future depends on the answer. Are we destined to be just another member of the European Union, separated by the Atlantic Ocean?

Mid-term elections have historically low turn-outs, but, this year, these questions require an answer. Each of us, as Americans, have the right laid out by the Constitution, to answer these questions and decide what course this country takes. Every one of us needs to get out and vote and help others get out and vote. Let our voices ring so that it is heard in every back room in Washington. Let this be the largest turn-out in history. As I see it, we have just two choices: either sit back and do nothing, or vote, telling Congress we don't like the path they are going.

America, it's up to you! Make your choice.